(AllHipHop News) J Prince (James Smith), CEO of the pioneering, Houston based Rap-A-Lot Records, has confirmed an exclusive distribution deal with Universal Music Group affiliate Fontana.
Fontana is the independent distribution group within Universal. The company currently provides back office, marketing, and sales support for over 80 labels worldwide, including Kedar Entertainment and Delicious Vinyl. The deal gives Rap-A-Lot the opportunity to expand their audience for new releases from Bun B, the late Pimp C, Z-Ro, and multiple compilation LPs.
Fontana CEO Ron Spaulding was attracted to Rap-A-Lot due to their proven track record over several decades of various trends and stylistic changes in Hip-Hop.
“I have been doing business with James Prince and Rap-A-Lot for a long time and it is an honor to welcome his entire team to Fontana. James is a true music visionary and has established Rap-A-Lot as one of the great pioneers of Southern Hip-Hop, a true original,” Spaulding explained in a statement. “And as they approach their well-earned milestone of 25 years in the industry, Fontana is thrilled to embrace their innovation, rich catalog and talented artists as we play a role in the next exciting chapter of their history.”
Founded in 1986, J Prince’s Rap-A-Lot exploded onto the national scene courtesy of seminal albums (Grip It! On That Other Level, We Can’t Be Stopped) from the Geto Boys. Later, the label further its and Southern Hip-Hop’s reputation with projects from Scarface (My Diary), Do or Die (Picture This), and Ganksta N-I-P (The South Park Psycho).
Looking forward, Prince’s vision is for his company to transcend regional tags and be considered the premier label in Hip-Hop.
“I am excited about Rap-A-Lot Records’ new journey and the opportunity to work with Jim Urie [President & CEO, Universal Music Group Distribution] and Ron, two music executives that I have the utmost respect for,” J Prince stated. “I believe in the Universal/Fontana system and I look forward to having the Rap-A-Lot brand be a part of the #1 music company.”
At press time, Rap-A-Lot’s next major release will be Bun B’s Trill OG sometime this summer.
